Frank Gilbert on Local Issues

Do away with the lottery; not the right way to fund schools

One question centered on the future of Arkansas's scholarship lottery. The legislature temporarily prohibited an expansion into monitor-based games. The keno-style games with drawings on screens every four to six minutes could be located in retail
outlets, restaurants, service stations, and bars.

Democrat Mike Ross said he was against the lottery when it began but now wants to work to make it better. Republican Asa Hutchinson said the lottery's authority should shift from its commission to a new
state agency.

While Hutchinson & Ross expressed distaste for the lottery they still talked about utilizing its funds for scholarships and continuing its existence. But Libertarian Frank Gilbert said using a lottery to fund scholarships is not an
answer to rising higher education costs. "If it were allowed, if it were possible, if I could I'd do away with the lottery right now. I believe the people of Arkansas could do that. We're the ones that voted it in, let's do away with it," said Gilbert.